Military mail and diplomatic mail are vital communication links with members of our armed forces and diplomatic services. This mail includes letters and packages sent to an APO, CMR, DPO FPO, OMDC, PSC, RPO, or UMR address.
All military mail is treated as domestic mail, even when sent to a foreign country. Please use standard domestic mail rates for letters. ShipStation can create labels to US Military and Diplomatic addresses, but it will depend on the limits of the carrier used for the shipment.
Customs Forms required for packages shipped to foreign countries
All packages must have completed Customs Forms attached if being sent to a foreign country. To learn more, visit Ship Internationally with ShipStation.
When sending packages to the Military you must follow specific guidelines regarding formatting addresses.
How to Format a Military Address
Use the guidelines below to format the ship to address for packages that are sent to a US military address.
|
Address field |
Military address Information |
APO Example |
FPO Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Recipient name |
Write out the service member's full name and rank in the address. All mail sent to the Military must be addressed to someone specific; addressing mail to "Any Service Member" is no longer permitted by the USPS. |
SGT JOHN DOE |
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH |
|
Address line 1 |
Write out the destination address in all capital letters. Include the unit and box (where applicable) into Address Line 1. It is not necessary to add specific military formations (for example "1/20 24th Infantry"). |
PSC 123 BOX 987 |
USCGC HAMILTON |
|
City |
Enter the Military mail designation type from the list below:
|
APO |
FPO |
|
State |
Do not use the state that the distribution hub is in as it may cause delays in package processing and delivery. Select one of the following options:
|
AP |
AP |
|
Country |
Select United States for the destination country regardless of where the service member is posted. |
USA |
USA |
|
Zipcode |
Enter the zip code. |
96601-0098 |
96667 |
The major carriers connected to ShipStation have unique services for these specialized addresses.
|
Carrier |
Service |
|---|---|
|
USPS |
|
|
FedEx |
|
|
UPS |
UPS® Ground Saver (fka UPS SurePost®) |
|
DHL via Endicia |
While you cannot process these shipments through a direct DHL eCommerce integration (formerly DHL Global Mail), you can process these types of shipments through Endicia's integration of DHL eCommerce for domestic services. The services available with DHL eCommerce domestic through Endicia are as follows:
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There are some restrictions when sending military mail:
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All packages must be 70 lbs. or less
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Packages cannot exceed 130 in. combined length and girth.
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Remove any batteries from battery-powered items. Wrap them securely and place them with the item.
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Pack items carefully. Your packages will be handled extensively before finally reaching the recipient. Keep the following tips in mind to help ensure packages arrive safely and undamaged:
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Box: choose a box with enough room for cushioning material around the contents. If you reuse a box, cover up or black out old labels and markings.
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Cushioning: place cushioning around your items. Close and gently shake the box to see whether there is enough padding.
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Sealing: tape your box shut and reinforce the seams with 2" wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape, or paper tape.
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You cannot send perishable foods.
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You cannot send any item restricted by the United States Postal Service.
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You cannot send any items that are restricted by the unit's host country. To see a full list of restricted items by military/embassy-specific ZIP code, visit the UPSPS page for APO/FPO/DPO Restrictions.
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There are a small number of military destinations with further restrictions. To learn more, visit the USPS page about Overseas Military/Diplomatic Mail
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For additional information, you can also visit the USPS Military Mail FAQ page.